I was so tired the next day after that trip to Sanya Military Base, and feeling that cold rain in my bones, but anyway we decided to do a road trip to Nashan Temple!
After the rain had stopped we decided to go to the other side. We left around 4 pm, but we came back 8:30 pm. All that time behind the handles of motorbike. Plenty of adventures. Sometimes the engine would stop in the crossroads. I was so stressed because so many cars in the streets, everything is moving and beeping. Real nightmare!
Finally we left the city. All beautiful landscapes have opened up. Almost all time we were going parallel to the sea and we could see amazing view. I can see the islands in the sea. Also there are less cars on the street compared to the city. In the city the taxis and busses were passing by so close that I though they will turn me over. So many taxis and bicycles with sidecars.
Long time driving by the sea. I could see the statue of Nashan far away which we actually were going to see. Famous deity with three faces.
Suddenly I see the car going backwards just in front of me. I managed to jump through and I see in the mirror my German friend falling over. It looked liked that the car have hit her. It looked awful. I have stopped, dropped my bike and ran to her. She looked alright and I felt a relief. She had just minor bruises on arm and motorbike was a little bit damaged. She couldn’t switch gears anymore. We tried to fix what we can. We put the screws back to the mirror and headed forward. I really don’t know how she managed to go all the time in 4th gear. I didn’t manage to do like that.
Every police car I passed extra carefully. Following all the rules. Though there are no rules really! To cross the crossroad means to pass the hell and to turn left is almost like reaching Nirvana – almost impossible. I can’t even express what was happening inside at those moments inside of me. Such fear and confusion. Such fun experience!
I got really tired driving. The rain has showered us again. I took out the plastic raincoat for the first time. It looked like a yellow flag in the wind. I’ve tried to tie it up, so it wouldn’t move in the wind as it was slightly annoying. Well at least it protected from the rain a little bit.
We have reached the highway, which we really didn’t want to follow since it had much more cars than the road by the sea. Also we were not sure what was happening there as it was full of police cars. I even didn’t know how to turn. I mean I knew how to turn, but didn’t know to where, since the road seemed destroyed completely by the mud slide or something like that. It is a pity it was raining and I didn’t take a picture.
Suddenly the police car turns on the sirens and shouting something. I hope not for me! I turn motorbike to the side we need to go and going forward. Seems the police not chasing. Such a relief. We have reached the road that we needed, but that road was even worse, full of mud and pits all over. The cars and busses seemed getting stuck in there. Somehow, we didn’t want to risk our rental motorcycles and our deposit so we turned back. No Nashan temple and no statue! Damn! Well you can see the picture from Wikipedia below.
We are coming back smoothly. Just the road is really long and it is raining again. Palms everywhere, beautiful beaches and coast. It looks like a garden of Eden somewhat. A lot of taxis on bicycles and motorcycles. Here are some photos below. Feels like a “City of angels”.
We stopped in one of the squares to rest. Walked around and enjoyed looking at those moving toys on the ground. Soon we reached the city and again the same horrible traffic. Passing in between busses and cars and taxis. It feels like diving in the traffic. If somebody would have told me that I am going to be doing things like this I would call that person insane. I guess when you have no options and you just know you have to do it to go back home, you just gather all your stamina and do it.
Time to fix the bike. Once we reached the street with small shops, we started looking where we can fix the motorbike. That was my idea to fix it and return it. Maybe they will not notice. We found one shop. The muscular guy with tattoos comes out and looks at the bike. Then he just straightens the leg with a hammer. He couldn’t fix the clutch though. We asked him how much we owed for help, but he said that new customers for first time are for free. He even showed us where to go to fix the bike completely as he doesn’t fix motorbikes, just scooters. So we go to another place, we had to cross the street, which is a real accomplishment! Car after car going in a row and no way to cross. We managed to find a moment when we can ran through the road. I pushed her motorbike across the street. I left mine on the other side. A guy immediately tells us where is the problem. He took off the rubbers, used the hammer and did something else and that’s it! It is working! The guy refused to take any payment again and said that we will pay next time. Well good thing there is not going to be next time! Anyway, we were lucky to meet those friendly mechanics.
Next task to fill up the tank. I saw that there was only half of the tank when I took the motorbike, but decided to fill it up all. I paid 30 RMB and my friend only 10 RMB. Shit! The hostel have tricked me!
We came back to hostel in the dark, passing the busses, police cars, ambulances. I can’t wait to get off from that thing! So tired! Here it is our yard. We park the motorbikes and switch off engines. We put the lock on the wheel and set the alarm.
Once I came to the reception I have started complaining that the tank wasn’t full. They told me, that I should have filled the same amount as it was. I was so angry! Furious! I am telling him that I am pissed off. Then he says again that I shouldn’t have minded the arrow showing the amount of petrol, but to put the same amount as it was. How would I know how much it was? They are basically ripping me off. Definitely going to add a review about this Blue Sky International Youth Hostel! Well a good thing they didn’t notice my friend’s damaged-repaired motorbike.
Finally, everyone is alive, everyone is safe and tired. I probably will remember this day for long time! So much excitement!